Tobacco Magnate. Philanthropist. At the age of twenty-eight "Buck" along with his brother Benjamin took over their father's fledgling tobacco company, developing it into a multi- million dollar empire. By the early 1890's they controlled almost half of America's tobacco industry. During the 1890's the family business expanded by entering into the textile industry and the energy business. Known for his philanthropic spirit, the successful entrepreneur established the Duke Endowment as a trust fund to help non-profit hospitals, child care institutions, small rural Methodist church congregations and universities. One of the prime beneficiaries of the Duke Endowment was a small school, Trinity College which, in 1892, relocated to Buck's hometown of Durham, North Carolina. Because of his generous gift the new university that evolved from this small college was named Duke University. The new school was named in honor of his father Washington Duke, who had encouraged his sons to be generous in sharing their wealth. James died in New York City leaving half of his estate to the endowment which still bears his name.
Tobacco Magnate. Philanthropist. At the age of twenty-eight "Buck" along with his brother Benjamin took over their father's fledgling tobacco company, developing it into a multi- million dollar empire. By the early 1890's they controlled almost half of America's tobacco industry. During the 1890's the family business expanded by entering into the textile industry and the energy business. Known for his philanthropic spirit, the successful entrepreneur established the Duke Endowment as a trust fund to help non-profit hospitals, child care institutions, small rural Methodist church congregations and universities. One of the prime beneficiaries of the Duke Endowment was a small school, Trinity College which, in 1892, relocated to Buck's hometown of Durham, North Carolina. Because of his generous gift the new university that evolved from this small college was named Duke University. The new school was named in honor of his father Washington Duke, who had encouraged his sons to be generous in sharing their wealth. James died in New York City leaving half of his estate to the endowment which still bears his name.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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